At this year’s issues conference, House Democrats discussed the challenges facing our economy, how to reduce gun violence, the need for comprehensive immigration reform, and ways to protect Americans’ voting rights.

"I was saddened to learn that Senator Harkin will be retiring at the close of the 113th Congress. He has been a tireless advocate for Iowa families and for opportunities for all Americans in his nearly four decades on Capitol Hill.

Four years ago, President Obama took office against a backdrop of severe job losses, an auto industry on the brink of collapse and a housing market shaken by a foreclosure crisis. The very foundations of the American Dream appeared to be faltering. As he stood to address an anxious nation, our new president declared that “the state of our economy calls for action, bold and swift.”

“In the 113th Congress, we will continue to have an outstanding Whip team that, thanks to these new members, is more diverse than ever before," stated Democratic Whip Hoyer. "They reflect the diversity of our Caucus, bringing a wide range of views and perspectives to the table. Over the past two years, our Whip team has helped maintain unity in our Caucus on a number of votes important to protecting our middle class and creating opportunities that lead to good jobs and a higher quality of life for all Americans. I look forward to working closely with the new and returning Chief Deputy Whips to bring Democrats from different segments of our Caucus together as we pursue our shared goal of helping grow America’s middle class and moving our country forward.”

"It is vital that the voices of the 5 million Americans represented by delegates and the Resident Commissioner in the U.S. House of Representatives are heard in our legislative process," stated Democratic Whip Hoyer. "By changing the House rules to silence these voices in the 112th Congress and again in this new Congress, House Republicans are doing a disservice to our greatest traditions of political inclusion and common-sense, democratic principles. I strongly urge them to reconsider and to allow the Delegates and Resident Commissioner to vote in the Committee of the Whole House."

“With the swearing-in of the 113th Congress today, I am hopeful that the House can refocus on the issues that matter to our constituents: creating middle-class jobs, reducing deficits, and keeping Americans safe. After two years of the least-productive Congress in modern history, with little progress made on our most pressing national challenges, the 113th Congress must do better. This means doing more to help our businesses compete, expand, and create well paying jobs through House Democrats’ Make It In America plan. It also means getting serious about restoring fiscal discipline to Washington in a way that ends uncertainty for businesses and families by ceasing to lurch from one crisis to the next without significant progress. We can and must do better, and a spirit of bipartisanship ought to guide us forward to achieve real results for the American people.

“I am honored to be here to mark this day with you and usher in another Congress where I know the Congressional Black Caucus will have a significant and positive impact. For over forty years, the CBC has been a moral voice in the democratic caucus as well as the conscience of the Congress. By promoting an agenda of middle-class opportunities for traditionally under-represented communities that have historically had to contend with poverty, discrimination, and disenfranchisement, the CBC is making sure that the promise of the American dream is accessible to all our people.

Mr. Speaker, for over 40 years, the Congressional Black Caucus has strengthened and enhanced the work of The People’s House. It does so by carrying into this chamber the voices of millions of Americans who for too long in our history were voiceless. It represents millions of our citizens who contribute greatly to building our economy, defending our hard won freedoms and fighting for equal justice and equal opportunity for all of our citizens.

“Today, the United States lost a great statesman and decorated war hero. As a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, Daniel K. Inouye gave his right arm in service to his country during World War II in an action that earned him the Medal of Honor. He then continued to give America every measure of his energy, his wisdom, and his devotion through public service.

For residents of areas affected by Hurricane Sandy, additional assistance to continue recovery efforts cannot come soon enough. The emergency aid package requested today by the Obama Administration will help communities in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and neighboring states get back on their feet.

Today House Republican leaders released the legislative schedule for 2013. We must use these scheduled days wisely - not to pursue partisan agendas, but to work together on behalf of the American people. Our nation still faces a number of challenges that we will need to continue addressing next year. We must remain focused on creating jobs, growing the economy, and pursuing a responsible, balanced plan to reduce the deficit. I hope we will set politics and partisanship aside and work together to keep our country moving forward.

I am deeply honored to have been elected by the Democratic Members of the 113th Congress to serve another term as our party’s Whip. Our Caucus’s strength comes both from its diversity and from our unity as we stand up for the values of fairness and equality we share as Democrats.

For 17 years, Jesse Jackson, Jr. has been a dedicated public servant and a tireless advocate for the people of Chicago. He has made a real difference in his community and across the country, fighting for important issues such as minority health and voting rights. I wish him well and continue to keep him, Sandi, and their family in my thoughts and prayers.

I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Senator Warren Rudman this week. Our nation has lost an extraordinary man of integrity who often worked across the aisle in order to address our country’s most pressing challenges. Throughout his career, he was committed to fiscal responsibility and worked with both parties to make the tough choices necessary to bring down our deficits and balance the budget. As we work to restore fiscal responsibility, Rudman’s legacy serves as an important reminder of what we can accomplish when we put country before party and work together to confront our budget challenges. I join in mourning his passing, and my thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.